152: 4.17 I Won't Die

4.17 I Won't Die

Heimo's jaws dropped to the ground. "W—What…?"1

By this point, Luqiu Hong started to walk back and forth across the room, a frown etched on her face. She was rambling as well as telling Heimo about her own discovery. "Think about it. Muqin had a pure yin body, she might have gone through whatever Ningning went through at some point of a time. Remember that Fuqin was her childhood friend? There's no way he didn't know about it." 

Heimo's heart lurched and Luqiu Hong must have seen the sinking realization on his face as she continued, "What if… Fuqin was just like you, throwing away his cultivation and embarking on the demonic path because that was the only way to hide Muqin's condition? However, no matter how strong he was, there would come a day when he could no longer transfer all of that excess demonic energy."

A disbelieving laugh escaped Heimo's lips. His voice sounded foreign even to his own ears. "So he turned to the real demon and struck a deal with them? Like what? 'I am willing to offer you my soul if you rescue my childhood sweetheart.' Something like that?"

He expected Luqiu Hong to berate him, to yell at him not to joke at such an unexpected moment. However, she was looking at Heimo with a horrified gaze instead. "Goodness… So that's why Ningning hasn't seen Fuqin's spirit. You know how she always has nightmares and says that Muqin wouldn't stop crying in it."

"Damn…" Heimo's eyes were wide, appalled. "You believe that? I was just—" He trailed off because somehow, he could very well imagine it. Uncle Luqiu was just that kind of person; loving, gentle and selfless. For the childhood friend who was the love of his life as well, just how far could he go? He had already had one foot in the demonic path, so what was the big deal of making a deal with the demon themselves? He was already stained with dirt so he might as well jump head on to the muddy pond. That… was very Uncle like. Heimo didn't doubt that the man could manage to pull off such a feat successfully.

"You understand him." Luqiu Hong pointed out flatly. "You understand him, don't you? Because if you're in his place, that's just what you're going to do. Muqin had always said it. You and Fuqin are the same kind of people."

Heimo buried his face into his palms and laughed out loud, hollow. He wished that he could hide. He wished that he could go back to a few moments ago where he knew nothing of the truth. This… This was just too much for him to take. He needed to wrap his head around it—no, he doubted whether he would be able to. He swallowed thickly. "In short…" His breath quickened. "Uncle's soul is currently… in the demon's possession?"

Luqiu Hong clenched her fists, tears sliding down her cheek.

"Damn it." Heimo leaned back wholly onto the couch and thunked the back of his head again and again to the wall as if it could offer him some kind of solution. They spent an unknown amount of time brewing in their own thoughts when Heimo suddenly asked. "Have you read the book?"

Both of them knew what book he was referring to. Luqiu Hong gave a hesitant nod. "It tells… the consequence and knowledge of having a pure yin body. Ningning's condition is quite severe. If she continues like this, she will either be consumed by resentful energy or caught by Lingyan to be killed just like Muqin. The only way to treat it is to… ask the demon's help. But there's a price to pay for it."

Heimo sprung up from his seat so suddenly that his Shijie flinched in shock. But Heimo couldn't bring himself to care for now. He placed his palms on Luqiu Hong's shoulders and stared into her eyes. "This discussion is not allowed to be known to a third person, can we agree on that?" 

Heimo was the younger one between them and he often carried himself with an air of playfulness and mischievousness. However, no one doubted that as soon as he got serious, he could get very intimidating to the point where Madam Luqiu lost an argument against him for the first time. 

Stunned by the gravity in his tone, Luqiu Hong gave a reflexive nod. 

"Good." Heimo said. "Now give me the book."

"W—What are you going to do with it?!" Luqiu Hong tugged her sleeves closer and Heimo instantly knew where she hid it. His Shijie had always been a bad liar. His lips ticked upward slightly. Luqiu Hong scooted backward. "No, no, no, you aren't allowed to do whatever you're thinking about, Lan!"

"And what is it I am thinking about?" Heimo challenged with a teasing tone.

"You know it!" Luqiu Hong glared and she intended to run only for Heimo to tap her right on her acupuncture point. In an instant, she was frozen in place. Her eyes were wild in panic and alarm and tears pooled on the corner of her eyes.

"Forgive me, Shijie." Heimo took the book from her and offered her a grin. "You heard Auntie. I am the same kind of person as Uncle." 

Stubbornness and deep loyalty must be running in the family. From the moment of the couple's death—no, it might be from the day when Heimo was brought into this house, this must have become his fate. To save his younger sister's life, to free his benefactor's spirit from the demon. Even if he had to unleash Hell on this realm, even if he had to receive the world's condemnation, even if he had to offer his soul in return, so be it. 

For the two most important people in his life, Heimo was willing to risk it all.

"Don't worry about me, Shijie. I won't die so easily. I have an excellent affinity with demonic cultivation and maybe, my chance to make a deal with the demon is also higher." He wiped the tears away from Luqiu Hong's cheeks. "Take care of yourself and send my regards to Ningning. Don't stay up late too often and ask Uncle Liu for help if you're tired. That's it. I am going. Aiyah, don't cry! It's not like this is the last time you will be seeing me." He offered a grin and added jokingly, even though deep inside he was really serious about it. "Even if I turn into a ghost, I will come back and become Ningning's playmate!" After that he waved and stalked out of the room without looking back.

His grin vanished as soon as he left the Sect. Sharp murderous intent brew within his eyes as he gazed into the distance where a faint, unfamiliar wisp of spiritual energy just dissipated into thin air. "Looks like someone has the audacity to peep in on us, huh?" The resentful energy beneath his feet whirled into life and crimson flared his pupils bloody. "Let's go to give them a visit." His figure shot up into the sky, following closely behind the intruder's trail.

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